Welcome to my Lifestyle blog Covering everything about living in Cornwall. From Travel, Festivals, Live Music gig reviews and classic car shows in the UK and abroad with lots of my photographs along the way. Not forgetting a healthy does of cake baking, running, cycling, surfing and sewing in between.
What better way to start a day than sitting in the tattooist for 2 hours being drawn on!
Getting a new tattoo is a big deal, obviously, it's permanent but I take forever to choose a new idea and wait for months and months to make sure I am 100% happy with my latest ink.
I LOVE pandas and have seen them in Scotland and Vienna and Even London Zoo many years ago and it seemed the obvious choice to get a Panda Tattoo but it has been impossible to chose 'The One' I didn't want a realistic panda as that is just not my style. I equally didn't want a childlike cartoony panda either but I still wanted a panda.
On an evening scrolling through Pinterest I came across this sugar scull panda and instantly fell in love. We tweaked the design to make the glasses more like my own and changed a few little areas to make him more personal to myself but I was soon in love and ready to take the plunge.
I booked myself in at La Famillia in Newquay a tattooist I had previously used for a tattoo on my wrist and I couldn't be happier.
Tattoo's are most definitely addictive and I'm already thinking about what are where to get inked next.
When a friend mentioned they were running in the Bideford 10km I just knew I wanted to take part too.
I have grown up with Bideford as my second home. My Grandmother lived there and so did my cousins and Aunties and Uncles and I had spent many a happy summer holiday in the North Devon town.
Realising that I was available on that Sunday and there were still places left I signed up straight away.
The morning of the race arrived and as with most races my alarm clock went of at 6am. I jumped out of bed, fueled up and headed out the door to drive the 90 minutes up country to North Devon.
Pre race breakfast of pancakes and blueberries
My race number pinned to my bib ready to go.
It was such a brilliant drive. The coast road up the A39 from Cornwall to Devon is stunning at the best of times but this morning the sun was shining and there was a classic car show going on in Bude and the road was filled with beautiful classic cars.
Every car that I past filled me with excitement and there were a few odd occasions where I thought perhaps I should boycott the race and head to the classic car show instead!!!
I continued to the race and arrived in good time and lots of people were arriving too. It felt so lovely to be back in Bideford. The sun was glorious and it made the town look even more stunning. The sun glistened on the water and I did my usual joining the toilet queue immediately!
Being a more local race for myself there were a few other runners from Newquay Road Runners and a friendly atmosphere all around.
Newquay road runners ready for the Bideford 10km
Arriving early for the Bideford 10km
Runnerrs assembling ready for the Bideford 10km
Waiting for the race to start amungst crowds of runners
Everyone crowded on the pavements waiting patiently to assemble at the start line on the road. Before not too long the road was temporarily closed and we flooded onto the road. The race was off and we headed along the river bank towards the old bridge before crossing the river and following the road to Instow.
It was such a lovely day but it was hot. The trees lined the road and kept any breeze away and the sun was beating down on all the runners creating a crowded bubble of heat slowly running along the coast road.
On arrival at Instow we turned off the road and headed back on ourselves along the Tarka trail back towards Bideford. Although, heading back towards Bideford the little white town looked really far away but for the return leg of the journey we fortunately had a sea breeze to cool the runners down.
With a water station and the breeze I had a second burst of energy to complete the race finishing with a time of 00:54:26 which was another PB beating my previous time at the Cardiff Bay Run by 1 Minute and 23 seconds. That might not sound like a long time but for me that was a brilliant result and meant I was running around 15 seconds quicker on each mile on a 10km race course.
Finished the Bideford 10km with my race medal
Over the moon with the result I collected my medal and collected my race T-shirt and decided to head to the near by beach at Westward Ho! For a little rest in the sun and refuel before getting back on the road and heading back home to Cornwall.
Westward Ho! In the Sunshine
Putting my feet up for a rest after running the Bideford 10km
It was a really good day out and a really well organised race and I thoroughly enjoyed it. My only criticism is that the race wasn't UK Athletics registered meaning that the time doesn't officially go on my power of ten records and therefore doesn't officially count as a personal best!
Being into Photography I often have a dilemma with what camera to take out with me. I have a nice Digital SLR with a rather weighty lens on the front and I have this awesome camera back pack with loads of compartments with extra kit and it has rain covers and chest straps and a clip for my tripod so If I'm doing a job or just a day out with my camera I'm pretty sorted.
However, there are days when I am out and about just doing regular day to day things where I wish I had my camera with me. Driving to work for example, I don't take all my camera gear with me everyday but then some days there will be an epic sunrise or sunset and I just wish I had my big camera with me as taking a picture on my mobile phone just doesn't cut it.
Move forwards several years and suddenly my digital SLR is getting taken out less and less. The technology within mobile phones is becoming incredible and now the results you can get from mobile phones are really impressive.
OK so the control that you have is no where near that of a digital SLR but it's often easier to capture events on a mobile phone that's always with you than planning to take your large camera on the off chance that you might want it.
So what happens when you go on holiday? Do you take the big camera knowing you will want to use it? Or do you just stick with the mobile phone to save on luggage space especially when flying on hand luggage only?
I've decided to make a padded camera cover so that I can put my digital SLR into a normal backpack so that I can have it with me without looking like I'm going on a photography exhibition with all my gear.
I've not made a camera bag before, and if I'm completely honest have only ever made items by following patterns so this is all a bit new to me.
With the help of my partner and lots of cutting and sticking paper templates I finally had a rough idea of what I was doing. With a lot of trial and error.. OK with a lot of error, frustration and whinging that this is impossible and why didn't I just buy a camera case online I finally have a beautiful padded camera case so that I can put my camera in my regular bag without all the extra bulk from my proper camera bag and hopefully this means that I can fit everything within my hand luggage when I go on holiday.
What do you think? Do you like it?
I'd love to see your homemade bags?
What do you do when you go on holiday when your a photographer and have to make the choice between camera gear and clothes??
I'm going to start this blog post with worrying where on earth the year is going? I had all the intentions in the world to keep writing regular blog posts and keep my blog updated with regular posts about my life and so far my life must appear to be very boring as my blog is so very quiet.
It is actually the complete opposite in my life and I am so busy away from the computer that I barely have time to blog anymore. When the weather turns nasty and the rain pours down the window I peer outside and don't want to venture anywhere. Suddenly, writing a blog post with my feet up on the sofa seems like a much better idea.
Back in April, I took part in the Cardiff Bay 10km road run. For some reason I have a real love with road running in Cardiff as this was where I took part in my first ever half marathon back in 2015.
Like with any event I train each week and hope that the injuries and illnesses stay away and that the weather is kind and the Cardiff Bay Run couldn't have been more perfect.
Setting the alarm clock for 5am and piling into the car and leaving Cornwall the sun was just starting to rise. It was a beautiful morning and we were on our way to Wales.
Unfortunately I suffer from IBS and I have no idea when it is going to effect me or not and for some reason whether it is stress or excitement this morning was full of a terrible stomach ache.
After a little sleep in the car whilst my partner drove and I rested, we were arriving into Cardiff and into the car park alongside hundreds of other runners.
Then the excitement starts to hit and the adrenaline starts whizzing around my body.
I pinned my running number to my vest and headed to the start area for the race and soon started to realise that this was a pretty big event with thousands of runners. The sun was shining brightly and there wasn't a cloud in sight. The atmosphere was fantastic.
Waiting for the start of the race
After a ritual of using the loo what seems like a thousand times I was then herded into my starting pen ready for the race to start. Luckily being a large event it is chip timed and so starting near the back and hearing the starter klaxon go I knew I wouldn't be starting to run for a little while.
With thousands of runners waiting to start
Nervously waiting at the start of the race
As the runners started filtering across the start line I started to jog and gradually picked up to a run to officially begin the run.
It was hot! I tried to tactically run in the shade where possible but it was such a busy race this was hard. The race was whizzing by and I was pushing hard. I ran my way out of the city onto the sea wall for the out and back and the atmosphere was amazing. Whilst I was running on my way out, hundreds of runners were already passing me that bit closer to the finish. There were good water stations available and a brilliant atmosphere that kept my speed up.
I managed to complete the run in an official time of 55:49 which was a 10km PB for me.
Amanda Brooks official result
I'm over the moon and super pleased with the result as my IBS was playing up and I had a stomach ache the whole way around and felt like I had to hold back on sections as I was in so much discomfort.
I would highly recommend the Cardiff Bay Run as it is a well organised event, with good crowds, a lovely medal and an awesome T-shirt and most definitely worth the drive up from Cornwall.
Super proud with my medal and my time
Cardiff Bay looking stunning and the perfect place for a run
Saturday saw me attend my 38th Park Run.
Since going to my first Park Run in 2014 I have really fallen head over hills in love with running but that love of running has seen me sign up to lots of events and that has seen me drop Park Run on Saturdays in favour of saving my legs for long runs on Sundays.
This week whilst in Essex my training plan allowed me a recovery run at Park Run. It's incredibly hard not to want to run fast and push for a PB but sometimes it's nice to take things a bit easier.
Although after seeing my time maybe I took things a bit too easy! My sister lives in Essex and is a bit slower than me and as I had run around 18 miles already that week I decided I would run with her and I would go for a nice easy run.
The weather was scorching and was already over 24'C in heat at 8am in the morning and the air felt thin. With a beast of a headache and sweat already forming I was greatful to be running slowly.
Me and My Sister At Chelmsford Park Run
As we started on the 5km route the crowds started to spread out. At the Chelmsford Park Run there are well over 500 hundreds each week that all turn up, run and dissappear as quickly as they arrive, It's fantastic.
After about half way the clear blue sky that was there when we started started to fill with clouds and the seccond half of the run was slightly cooler. I think I had wished for the cooler weather a bit too soon and before we knew it we were running to the sound of thunder crashing and lightening striking in the the sky.
A very hot and sweater 'After' Park Run Photo
Storm Passing over Chelmsford
The Lake at Central Park Chelmsford
The Storm Passing Over Chelmsford
I find Park Run fascinating. One minute there are hundreds of runners, spectators and marshalls and then the park is empty again. It's a brilliant event to be a part of and although I was 7 minutes slower than a previous PB at Chelmsford Park Run I had a wonderful run and a great social run and chat with my sister.
Although I do Park Runs few and far between I'm getting closer to getting my Park Run 50 T-shirt!!
It's impossible not to notice that this weekend hosted the 37th London marathon. Even if you are not a runner it was impossible to avoid the event and the stories that came pouring out of the event.
For people like me that love running, watching the event televised all day was absolutely amazing and was a complete and utter emotional roller coaster journey. There were stories how running had changed peoples lives. There were stories of wonderful people running to raise money for charities that fight to cure cancer or provide support for so many ailments. There were people that were running to save themselves and others that were running in memory of others. It was just one after another of incredible people who have trained for months and months to get to that race on Sunday.
What is probably the most moving aspect of the race this year was when one runner, David Wyeth from Chorlton Runners which is a Manchester based running club, was so close to the finish line when his body started to give up and didn't want to run any further. Several runners carried on running past him but Matthew Rees from a Welsh club the Swansea Harriers stopped and helped David Wyeth to finish his marathon.
It was such a selfless thing to do and Matthew Rees really won the hearts of so many and made me proud to be a runner and a part of the amazing running community.
When I was a teen at school I loved running. I ran for my school and then I ran for my county at the Chelmsford Athletics club based at the melbourne stadium in Chelmsford. I loved it then, I competed in the cross country, the 800 and the 1500 metres and It was all I was interested in. Training several times a week on the track and out and about on the local roads and competing at the weekends it was a major part of my young life.
But then as with most people growing up things change. Priorities change and suddenly I didn't want to dedicate my time to running and training and going out with friends and drinking soon became where I wanted my time spent.
Several years passed and I did less and less running. I moved away from Essex to Cornwall and my life was changing. After more than ten years had passed my sister invited me to attend a Park Run with her. My life changed at that one park run event!!!
It was my first run in years and I fell instantly in love with running again. Since that first Park Run in 2014 I've been addicted to running ever since and run a half marathon several 10km events and now joined a running club and I'm so proud to be a runner.
I'm so proud to be a member of the Newquay Road Runners who not only are the most friendly and encouraging bunch but are also the reason that I have achieved so many PB's. I look forward to my weekly runs with the club and feel privileged to be welcomed into the club.
Then seeing events on the television like Matthew Rees's selfless act of kindness it shows that running isn't just about getting fast times and running your own race it's about being part of a community and helping others to achieve their goals.
It's impossible to express how much running has changed my life in the last two years. I'm the fittest I've ever been. I have structure to my weeks around exercise and see so many friends out running. I look forward to running and don't drink as much alcohol that I used to knowing that it doesn't help with running hydration.
It's not always easy and some runs are hard, some runs are during gruelling weather in pouring rain and strong winds and sometimes I wonder why I am doing it. But then other runs I pass another runner and we smile at each other. The sun will break through the clouds on a lonely country road and I feel a huge sense of achievement being out on the roads seeing such beautiful scenery and realising that If I was just sitting at home watching TV or down the pub I would easily miss these special moments.
I'm a runner and I'm part of the running community and I'm proud to do so.
I often find myself wondering why?
It's now been nearly 7 months since my dad passed away and I keep thinking why?
Not why did you have to die? everyone has to die at some point and a lot of people die a lot younger and in tragic accidents or through long and painful diseases. When I think about my dad leaving us by having a heart attack and suddenly going it was probably painless and quick and I suppose that is something to be grateful for. But it doesn't make the shock any easier for those left behind
I'm grateful that he didn't suffer long, I'm grateful that he very nearly made it to 70 and I'm grateful that he and my mum had many years together and found each other. Some people don't find love and many don't have families so in some ways I'm happy with the life my dad achieved.
But in other ways I am left empty and questioning why.
Why did you have to leave us before my sister had her first baby. You left us all just two months before you were to be a grandad for the first time.
Why did you have to go on my brothers birthday? Of all the days to leave us you went whilst on holiday on your beloved boat with mum on my brothers birthday. I just wish you and mum had had your holiday and you had gone at the end of your holiday to at least give mum one last holiday with you and not have been taken away from her on the first day of your holiday together. It just seems so unfair.
We survived the first Christmas without you and it was OK. It did feel like there was something massive missing but we tried to carry on and we got the family together and our first Christmas with the new addition of my sisters baby but the first one without you and it seems so unfair.
Now I am going to be selfish and ask why you had to leave us before I got engaged. I've been with my partner for 9 years and I know you approve of him but after waiting so long he finally proposed but now I don't have you there to give me away and walk me down the isle and it makes me so sad.
To be honest, I feel sad for all of us, as all your three children are engaged to be married and you aren't there for us and that breaks my heart every day.
I know it will get easier with time and as the occasions go past we will get used to a new life without you but I will still question why you had to leave us when you did.
